Spectrum Cable Now Airing Brindisi Campaign Commercials

Congressional candidate Anthony Brindisi says a commercial that had been rejected by Charter Spectrum is running on the company's cable television systems.

Brindisi is the Democratic challenger facing Republican incumbent Claudia Tenney in New York's 22nd District.

Spectrum initially balked at airing a Brindisi message that was critical of the company's record. The cable operator's explanation was that "the ad did not meet our criteria."

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program Thursday, Brindisi said "we're very happy that freedom of speech prevailed and still exists in this country."

In the commercial, Brindisi criticizes Spectrum's rate increases and its progress in expanding its broadband network in the state.

Brindisi said he believed Spectrum decided to run the ad after the Federal Communications Commission got involved. He said cable operators aren't allowed to "pick and choose" which political commercials they will carry.

Many Spectrum customers already had been able to see the Brindisi commercial because the campaign bought time on local stations carried by the cable company.

Brindisi, who is a member of the state Assembly, said he doesn't know whether his campaign will release additional spots targeting Spectrum.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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